Chapter 288: Graduation

Sometime later…

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

On a wide, expansive stage that peered out into a crowd of thousands walked a smiling man with a microphone in hand, all the lights directed at him, making his rather well-kempt face even brighter yet at the same time highlighting the thick black bags under his eyes. In all his years of being general, this year specifically, he had never looked better.

But today, for some odd reason he seemed to be looking far more cheerful than usual. People knew that something was off and that It couldn't be from a simple graduation ceremony— there had to be something beyond that yet no one knew.

"Good afternoon everyone! As you know, I'm High General Ryker, the one who oversees this school. I hope you guys enjoyed the festivities and the events so far! We had so many talented people working on this! I would like to once again apologize for the delay on this graduation ceremony! We had some issues so we were forced into doing this in the middle of the summer vacation… BUT! It will not take away anything from the event and the spirit we all have today!"

Sitting in the middle of the crowd with a casual smirk was a man dress in a fancy suit, his black and red hair perfectly combed, his green eyes staring lazily yet calmly onto the stage ahead. 

To his side were three others. On the right was a short frosty haired boy sitting next to another person of similar height, navy hair with a slightly more nervous expression on his face.

And, directly to his left was a gorgeous girl, dressed in a gown that perfectly matched the beauty and elegance of her silky, dark blue hair as she leaned onto the man's shoulder who was directly to her right. 

"When will this end…" She complained. "Why were we even forced to be here? It's not like we're the ones graduating..."

"Don't worry it shouldn't be too long… I guess it's just so we can respect our seniors." he yawned, scratching his eyes, hearing a small pout from below before redirecting his gaze up above.

"First off, I would like to mention all the dropouts and failures, I deeply wish you good luck with your next time… If you even get a next time that is... I know that many students were not able to make it here due to the earlier tragedies this school year so we will use this moment of silence to honour all of their deaths…"

The mood stood still with a sombre air, not a peep from a single person for an entire minute. It was almost certain that most of them could not care less and were not reflecting or morning the dead. They simply did not want to get in trouble. Customs were customs after all.

But, the man and his companions were not part of that crowd, as they looked deep down thinking about a certain person... no two very certain people and how they wished they were there with them that day...

That was was when the man on the stage continued speaking… "Thank you all for your patience and respect…"

"Today, we will be celebrating all the second-year students that have survived this hectic year in one peace and all of the ones that are sadly no longer with us... The next years of humanity are uncertain… But with the help of these future soldiers and possible elites! We will help shape this world and protect us. First, can we please call upon Jacob Rosewall, Saz Star, Elaina Allen, Darth Konwell, and the exchange student, Lan Tao! Please come up to receive your graduation certificate!"

In groups of six, students were called upon, lining up at the foot of the stage before being invited once again to climb the stairs onto the stage. Then, they shook hands with their homeroom teacher and general, taking their picture along with their certificate before walking away.

And, there were thousands of first-years to go through… It was like a living nightmare… By the time they finished all of them, the entire crowd had almost gotten half to sleep. 

"And now, for our final two graduates… It is my great honour to announce this! I have seen these two grow stronger and stronger with my own two eyes and I could not imagine anyone else in their place! I would please like to call up…"

'Two more? I thought they just finished the last batch…' The black and red-haired man thought in his head, yawning and looking at the beauty half asleep on his shoulder.

"I would please like to call up Moby Kane and HikariYami to the stage to receive their graduation certificates!"

"Huh… ?" The man mumbled to himself before something sparked in his bored, foggy consciousness, completely recharging him.

"HUUUUUUUUHHHHH!!" 

He shot out of his seat, startling the girl on his lap that looked at him with wide eyes. 

When he looked around him, he managed to fully see all of their faces despite the darkness in the room, most people looking at him clapping with smiles of admiration. 

'No… This must be a mistake… I'm a first-year! How the hell am I graduating!? And HikariYami! I haven't heard that name in almost a year! Isn't she also first year or am I tripping!?'

His mind ran round and round in circles, unable to believe what was happening before he looked down at his friend's smiles and words through their mind-links.

"Just go for it boss… I doubt this is an accident…"

"Hmh... I agree…"

And then, the girl previously on his shoulders stood up, giving him a kiss on the cheek with two simple words.

"Good luck.." 

Sighing with a smile, he looked at the girl's face and spoke before walking away, "Thanks…"

Eyes were all on him and great praise along with a few cold stares coming his way. 

On his approach towards the stage, he managed to pick up on some whispers such as "HikariYami? Who is she?" and "She was in my group for exams first day of school but she was then immediately taken away…"

He had no idea about HikariYami's reputation and the whispers and rumours provided him with more than enough intriguing insight...

He slowly marched up the stage, the bright light shining on his face. 

And, at the same time, from the other side he saw the figure of an all too familiar girl looking as small and bright as ever, her light side in control. It was of course none other than HikariYami who he had not seen or even heard about ever since their encounter with the shalker. 

Their eyes met each other for a split second before she immediately looked away out of shyness. It was shyness that she only showed around him instead of her usual outgoing self. 

He could not help but inwardly scoff at the sight of her once more as many memories were instilled in his mind. However, those thoughts were neutralized and softened by the memories of all the good she had done, which left him rather conflicted.

He wondered, did she still see him as her big brother after all this time?

That was when his thoughts were interrupted by Ryker's voice that rang in their ears when they reached the centre of the stage.

"This is the first time in our school's history that such a thing happened! You two! You are something special! 1 in 100 million talents! You have more than proven yourselves worthy to grab the attention of the higher-ups!"

He took a small pause to look at both of them with a smile before continuing.

"These are not two ordinary papers in my hand! These are your tickets to the famed Alexander Davis School of Elites! Where the chosen few from all around the world are sent to train and hone their strength! And in one year, our school as produced two worthy students! TWO!"

Now, it was more than clear why Ryker was so excited. He held the certificates high in the sky, making the crowd roar before handing them directly to both Moby and HikariYami, shaking their hands and taking a picture with both of them. 

The certificate itself was glowing, its colour completely black with a mystical green glow all around it, completely unlike the white of every other graduate that day.

"This is not a request, this is an order! Under law, you must attend elite school! We, under good conscience, cannot let talent such as you go untended without the proper training! Since we had this ceremony a bit late, you will have a week to prepare for departure and you will be informed about the details later! In the meantime, you can prepare and celebrate your accomplishments!"

The crowd roared once more, Moby's eyes growing wide as he stared at all the cheers ahead with sweat running down his face and a single thought in his mind.

"1 WEEK!?"